Tag Archives: baby boomers

After taking my Christmas selfie, I looked at the photo and noticed a small gray hair on my cheek. I started to re-take the photo, but then I decided to let that gray hair be. That gray hair says “See me!” My gray hair has a life of it’s own. My gray hair walks into the room before I do! My gray hair announces to the world: “Look at me!” When I walk into a restaurant, the young waitresses look at the top of my head. Sometimes they ask, “Is it real?” Several years ago, I was standing in line at a Health and Fitness Expo, and I could hear two women behind me trying to figure out if my hair color was a new color. I smiled, turned around and said, “No, it’s natural.” They apologized. I said “No problem.” My husband laughed. I wear hats to protect my skin and hair from the sun, wind, and cold. When I wear hats, I can pretend I’m younger than I am because you can’t see most of the gray. However, gray hair pokes out from behind, saying “You will not deny me!” You may ask, “Why not dye your hair?” I can’t. The reason — my Mom. When she was in her death bed at the hospital, a few days before she died, I was sitting in a chair at the foot of her bed. She complained that she really wanted to go to the hair salon. I smiled, and admired her full head of gray. It was like a shiny halo around her head. Mom never died her hair, and neither will I. My gray hair is a testament of a precious gift from my Mom and Dad.

For new retirees, one of the most important activities to incorporate into your TDS is exercise. Why? If you are spending more time around the house, chances are you are less physically active than you were when you were working. Less physical activity leads to stiff joints. Stiff joints lead to pain. What’s the solution? Move your body! Start with daily stretching. Stand up, spread your feet about 2 feet apart, and raise your hands as high in the air as you can. Feel the stretch from your fingertips all the way down to your toes! Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Then, bend over at your waist and try to touch your toes. If you cannot reach your toes, do the best you can. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. For 7 early morning stretches, click here. After stretching, it’s time for a 10 minute walk to get your juices flowing! If you can go outside for your walk, great! If not, walk around your home, or up and down the stairs. You can even walk in place while watching TV! We try to walk for at least 10 minutes after every meal. Walking after every meal provides 3 benefits:

Walking helps with food digestion

Walking increases metabolism

Walking burns calories

Before starting your walk, make sure your ankles are flexible and strong by performing the following ankle stretch:

Of course, check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Alert1 Medical Alert Systems has a variety of senior care technology products to alert your loved ones or 911 if you have a medical emergency.

Have you recently retired and discovered health tips for new retirees? If so, please share your tips by joining us at thefiftyplusnetwork.com!

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